New Series Sponsored By Internet Record Label Magnatune

Informal Atmosphere Encourages Exchange With London Arts And Music Community

"Live From Covent Garden", a new informal concert series taking place at a private residence in the heart of London's West End, will have its inaugural event on Sunday, 31 July. Members of the San Francisco-based Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, which makes its debut at the BBC Proms two nights later, will perform for a specially-invited audience of fellow-musicians, authors, journalists, artists, instrument-makers and associates from the music industry. The series, sponsored by John and Jan Buckman, founders of Magnatune (www.magnatune.com), aims to bring together musicians and audience in a salon-style setting that encourages collaborations and the exchange of ideas about music and the arts. The doors of the residential building will open at 7:00 pm with champagne served until the programme begins 30 minutes later. Two 45-minute sets of music, consisting of three artists performing 15 minutes each, will be separated by an interval during which dinner and conversation will nourish the creative atmosphere.

"Live From Covent Garden" is the brainchild of John and Jan Buckman, founders and owners of the pioneering Internet record label Magnatune.com. Since establishing themselves in London one year ago, the Buckmans have wanted to provide a forum where music can be enjoyed in an informal setting.

Magnatune is a multi-genre web site which offers albums as paid downloads and CDs on demand. Based in Berkeley, California, Magnatune was at the vanguard of recording companies embracing artist-ownership. All of the musicians who record for Magnatune maintain control of the copyright in their recordings. All of Magnatune's albums can be listened to in their entirety as high-quality MP3s, assisting customers in identifying music they enjoy. Uniquely on Magnatune, purchasers choose the price according to their own discretion. They can pay from USD $5.00 to $18.00, or £3.00 to £10.00, for an album download, depending on their estimation of the music's worth. The average price paid per album has been $8.21, with half the purchase price being paid directly to the musician. All revenues are split 50/50 between Magnatune and its musicians. Of the eight music genres Magnatune offers, Classical is far and away the most popular, representing 35% of sales.

"Live From Covent Garden" brings Magnatune musicians into direct contact with their audience. The first to be featured are members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, American's leading period instrument ensemble. Recordings by Philharmonia Baroque available on Magnatune include live recordings from the orchestra's archives of Mozart, Leclair and Rameau, and the world-premiere recording of Alessandro Scarlatti's The Cecilian Vespers which is available through Magnatune's alliance with Avie Records. In addition, Magnatune has released solo and chamber music CDs featuring individual members of the orchestra who are virtuosos in their fields in their own right. At this inaugural concert in the series, performances will include Baroque concerti and Schumann chamber works by oboist Gonzalo Ruiz, Beethoven Sonatas by cellist Tanya Tomkins, Chambonnieres solo harpsichord works by Hanneke van Proosdij, and the Bach Cello Suites by Phoebe Carrai (released in partnership with Avie Records).

"Live From Covent Garden," which are invitation-only events, are scheduled to occur monthly. The next concerts in the series will feature Italian lutenist Paul Beier on 9 October, and lutenist Jacob Heringman with soprano Catherine King on 13 November.

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Magnatune was formed in May of 2003 in Berkeley, California and is a growing internet record label where musicians can showcase and sell their own work. Music is available for listening or purchase in a variety of high quality formats, and the price range paid for the music is set by the buyer. The company takes its motto "we are not evil" seriously. To that end the purchase price is shared 50/50 with artists and Magnatune artists keep the rights to their music.